I've never done that; I always see either dmgs (on Mac) or installers of some sort (on Mac and Windows). The thing you download is a single file, but they expand into a lot of files. The Mac makes it look nicer with the .app idea, but you're still getting a bunch of files in there, one of which might be an interpreter for some of the other files.
I think compilation to a single binary is not a big advantage when distributing to others. I think that because I've rarely seen anyone distribute software that way. If it's a widespread practice in some circles, I'd like to know more about the circumstances.
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Downloading compiled binaries from someone is what you usually do on Mac and Windows.
I've never done that; I always see either dmgs (on Mac) or installers of some sort (on Mac and Windows). The thing you download is a single file, but they expand into a lot of files. The Mac makes it look nicer with the .app idea, but you're still getting a bunch of files in there, one of which might be an interpreter for some of the other files.
You think an archive doesn't contain compiled binaries simply because it contains more than one file?
I think compilation to a single binary is not a big advantage when distributing to others. I think that because I've rarely seen anyone distribute software that way. If it's a widespread practice in some circles, I'd like to know more about the circumstances.
but at that point who cares if it's compiled or not?